Bivins scrutinizes questionable uses of state funds
SPRINGFIELD – Gery Chico isn’t a well-known name in northwestern Illinois.
The former Chicago mayoral candidate and leader of multiple Chicago area boards, including of Chicago Public Schools, is Gov. Pat Quinn’s pick for the nonsalaried chairman of the Illinois State Board of Education post.
That’s how he ended up in front of the Senate Executive Appointments Committee on which Sen. Tim Bivins, R-Dixon, sits.
Bivins had requested that Chico come to Springfield before the committee OK’d the governor’s appointment, something that doesn’t usually happen for nonsalaried positions.
He had questions about the Save-A-Life Foundation.
The nonprofit’s goal is to teach students CPR. It was the recipient of millions of dollars from the city of Chicago, the state of Illinois and the federal government, about $800,000 of which hasn’t been accounted for, Bivins said.
Issues also are arising about where that money is going and whether any children have received training.
Monday morning, Bivins asked Chico about what he knew and whether he was involved with the group.
Chico never has been a member of the organization, he answered, and the foundation got involved with Chicago Public Schools the same way every other group did when he was president of the board.
Bivins, who ended up voting present instead of yes or no on the appointment, said he wants to think